Loving God with All Your Mind

Training Your Thoughts

Finally, brethren,

whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and

if there is anything praiseworthy—

meditate on these things.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

1

THINKING ON THE TRUTH

Whatsoever things are true… think on these things.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 KJV

BECAUSE MY HUSBAND, JIM, IS IN the ministry, our phone rings a lot. And sure enough, one morning many years ago was no different. As I hurried across the family room to answer another call, I prayed my standard on-the-way-to-answer-the-phone prayer—God, whoever it is, whatever it is, help me.

That prayer, however, did not prepare me for the startling request this caller made. The woman, a member of our church, explained that she had met with one of the pastors that morning because of her tendency toward depression. At the end of the counseling session, he had given her a homework assignment: Go home and call Elizabeth George and ask her how she overcame her struggle with depression.

Overcoming Depression

Too shocked to respond, all I could do was ask for the woman’s phone number and for some time to think about my answer. As I hung up the phone, a tidal wave of emotions swept over me.

First, I felt concern for this woman. So few Christians face their problems to the point of seeking advice. Even fewer actually show up for a prearranged appointment. Still fewer do what the counselor recommends. And here was a woman who had done it all! And she was asking me for help.

Next came distress. I didn’t like hearing that someone was using my name in a counseling session. And I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be characterized as someone who battled with depression, even though it was true. Besides, I thought I’d kept up a strong front…but obviously this pastor had seen through my facade. And, praise God, he had noticed some victory and headway!

Then came pain. As you read this book, you’ll discover that one key to loving God with all your mind is choosing not to dwell on the past or on unpleasant memories. Yet to help this woman, I would need to once again look closely at the painful past. As I made myself remember those darker days, I recalled my morning routine.…

Dark days—Every day I woke up in what I selfishly considered less-than-desirable surroundings—a tiny house in the middle of a desert with no air conditioning and no dishwasher. That meant that several times a day I had to stand in sweltering heat at the kitchen sink doing our dishes by hand. (That’s enough to depress any woman!)

And there I stood, looking out the window and thinking long and hard while I washed dishes. Amazingly, I could recall almost every negative thing that had ever happened to me in my life! I thought about other days and better times. I relived unkindnesses and mistreatments. I reviewed again and again my failures and disappointments along with my dreams that, by the looks of things, were never going to come true. Soon my thoughts pulled me down so far that tears streamed down my cheeks and into the dishwater.

After the dishes came the housework. As I went from room to room, I felt oppressed and numb. A heavy, dark fog settled in my head. As I made each bed, I wanted to get into it, sink my head into the pillow, pull the covers up over my head, and close my eyes. You see, with my eyes shut, maybe—just maybe!—the fog would go away. Everything would be black, and I wouldn’t have to keep groping my way along.…

Remarkable change—Exactly how had my life changed since those days? I wondered and prayed. What had helped me get past those dark and heavy moods? What had freed me from that almost-immobilizing depression? Was there some key I could pass on, some hope and help I could offer? This dear lady needed to know.

I’ve learned in the past 20 years that I’m not alone. Others—like you perhaps?—also need help. I now know that…

• Some form of depression affects more than 17.5 million Americans each year.

• Depression can affect anyone, regardless of background, though major depression strikes women twice as often as men.

• More than 1 in 5 Americans can expect to get some form of depression in their lifetime.¹

Turning to God’s Word

As I mentally journeyed back to those dark days, I saw how God had worked in my life through three specific practices.

Memorizing God’s Word—The first was hiding Scripture in my heart. As a new Christian, I was advised that I should memorize Scripture. And not knowing that I had an option, I dutifully began to memorize passages from God’s Word. I wrote Bible verses on index cards and carried them with me in my purse, taped them on mirrors, and laid them on the breakfast table. And, especially important, I placed them on the windowsill over my kitchen sink. I was doing what I knew was right…but I was quite unaware of the great benefits I would reap.

Meditating on God’s Word—The second habit I was cultivating was meditating on Scripture. I had learned some methods for reflecting on God’s Word in several wonderful books.² Furthermore, the Scripture memory course I had enrolled in required meditation exercises for the assigned verses.³ Again, I knew that I was doing what was right…but I didn’t know how helpful meditating on Scripture would actually prove to be.

Applying God’s Word—The third…and most challenging!…practice I was trying to master was obedience—actually doing what God’s Word said. I admit, it wasn’t always easy to do what God was telling me to do in the verses I was memorizing and meditating on. But I knew that God gave us His Word to show us how to live. And I knew that I needed to do what it says, not just know what it says (Matthew 7:21).

There was no way in the world to fathom at that time the many ways God would use these three practices to remove the bars of negative thinking that held me prisoner!

Thinking on These Things

One morning, as I was standing at my kitchen sink washing dishes (again!), I was looking at the index card that was propped up on the windowsill. The memory verse laboriously written on it was Philippians 4:8. That’s a l-o-n-g verse about the eight virtues prescribed by God for a Christian’s thought-life. And it had been v-e-r-y hard for me to learn. Anyway, as I reviewed the verse, I counted the eight virtues on my fingers to make sure I didn’t leave one out:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (KJV).

I had already spent time meditating on Philippians 4:8 as a whole, so I knew it was a guideline for the kinds of thoughts God desired to occupy my mind. But I had never thought about each component separately. And that morning I decided to take the verse apart while I washed the dishes. Going through an exercise designed for discovering the meaning of Scripture, I said out loud, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true. Then I stopped and asked, "What does true mean? And my answer? Obviously true means truth, the truth of Scripture. And true means the truth as opposed to lies. But true also means real, because what is true is what is real."

The door of understanding cracked open for me!

Continuing on with the exercise, I asked, Is there a command to obey? I recited my way through the entire verse again and landed on God’s command at the end of it—think on these things. Stated in the positive, God is issuing the command to let your mind dwell on what is true or real. And stated in the negative, the same command would be Do not think on things that are not true or real.

Suddenly God’s Word seemed to be screaming at me, "Elizabeth, stop thinking on things that are not true and real!"

Breaking Through

And there it was! Whatsoever things are true…think on these things. In just eight words—eight words!—out of the fathomless treasure of God’s Word, I had my breakthrough. It came when I realized that God did not want me to spend my precious time and equally precious mental energy thinking on things that are not true or real.

As I sought to apply this instruction and obey the command of Philippians 4:8, the darkness over my life began to lift and the light of God’s Word flooded into my heart, soul…and mind! Here, in a mere handful of words, God was telling me not to think about anything that wasn’t true or real, and I needed to be faithful in putting this truth into practice.

Here’s something for us to think about. It’s been estimated that 10,000 thoughts pass through the human mind in one day. Obeying God’s command to filter our thoughts through His grid of true and real is no easy task. But, thanks be to God, He helps us accomplish whatever He asks us to do!

Making Progress

Encouraged—and excited!—about my discovery, I started to evaluate my daily thoughts in light of the first few words of Philippians 4:8. I literally had to train my thoughts. I had to make it a point to ask myself, Am I thinking on the truth—on what is true and real?

Over the next few weeks, as I continued to ask this question, I made some dramatic progress in changing my thought-life. I also began to realize that God had a solution for my long struggle with depression and worry and fear. For the first time, I understood that His Word offered hope for my moodiness! That solution, and that hope, lay in keeping my thoughts within the biblical boundaries of Philippians 4:8—"Whatsoever things are true [or real]…think on these things."

These few words helped me take a significant first step toward spiritual mental health. And this scripture continues, to this day, to correct all my unhealthy thinking. And it can do the same for you.

Realizing Strength for Daily Life

Take it from me, blessings abound when you and I think on what is true and real. And one of those blessings is strength for daily life—strength that includes energy, health, and vitality. Let me explain. I’m sure you know how limited you are when you are ill. Well, when you aren’t functioning according to what is real, it’s like trying to do something when you have a fever or the flu. Even though you force yourself to fulfill your responsibilities, something is missing. Your body’s ability and the demands of each task are out of sync! Sure, you go ahead and do your work, but there is little, if any, enthusiasm. And many times your work is half done or done poorly. Why? Because of poor physical health…which means less energy…and even less performance.

The same thing happens in the spiritual realm! Like a virus, your thoughts can drain your energy and cripple your usefulness. But, praise God, the opposite is also true. Your thoughts can be a source of strength. When you think on the powerful truths of Scripture, God uses His Word to change your way of thinking. And one beneficial—and much-needed!—result is that you are strengthened and energized for daily life by thinking on the truth—on what is true and real.

Loving God…Even More

As I think about you as the reader of a book bearing the title Loving God with All Your Mind, I am assuming that you already love God. As a believer in Christ, you have already responded to God’s love for you. As a truth in the Bible states, We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Therefore, it is my prayer that as you make your way through this book, each and every truth and step of application will help you love God even more.

So here’s a first step: Remember these eight words from God’s Word—Whatsoever things are true…think on these things.

And here’s a second step: Every time you hold your thoughts up against God’s standards of what is true and what is real…and then choose to think on these things, you are loving God with all your mind. With His help, His Word, and His Spirit, you can triumph over negative emotions, damaging thoughts, and destructive attitudes.

Now, read on to see how thinking on the truth, on what is true and real—will transform your mind…and your life!

2

THINKING THE TRUTH ABOUT…GOD AND HIS WORD

Whatever things are true… meditate on these things.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

DEAR READER, I PRAY THAT a transformation has already begun in your heart and mind…as it did in this woman’s life:

Elizabeth, what ministered to me most from your teaching on Loving God with All Your Mind is thinking on what is true and real. As a sufferer of depression, I now think on what is true and real, and trust God and His Word rather than spiraling down into despair and suicidal depression. This is totally new to me!

I’m also praying that you are grasping the importance of training your thoughts to think on what is true and real. For me it was the first step in learning what it means to love God with all your mind. And here’s another step: We must be thinking thoughts about God that are true.

Thinking the Truth About God

Through my years of ministry, one scenario has often been repeated. A dear woman will come to me with her problem. Then, after she’s poured out her heart, she’ll say something like, God must not care about me. He must not see how I’m being treated. He must not know what’s happening to me. If He did, He would do something about it! And then I can almost predict the next words: God must not love me.

I never condemn or judge anyone who says these things. That’s because I’ve felt this way, too. And I’ve said all of those things myself! But I’ve also learned that whenever you and I feel this way…or begin to think in this way…we must stop and ask, "But what is true and real about God?" We can then recall truths from the Bible that confirm God’s love for us, His people. Truths such as these…

God cared for the Israelites—One year I set a goal to read through my Bible…and I made it all the way to Exodus, chapter 2! It was there that I witnessed and marked heavily in my Bible how God demonstrated His care for the Israelites. Here’s what happened in Exodus 2. After Joseph died, the children of Israel were mistreated by the new pharaoh. Under severe persecution, they felt (as perhaps you have) that God didn’t care about them. The Bible, however, reports that this was never the case. Even while the Israelites thought they were unloved and forgotten,

God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant.…And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them (Exodus 2:24–25).

God indeed saw His people, and He took notice of their condition! And, far from forgetting them, God was well aware of His covenant with them. Then God acted on what He heard, saw, and noticed. He told Moses, "I have surely seen the oppression of My people…and have heard their cry…for I know their sorrows….So I have come down to deliver them…and I will send you" (3:7–10).

This God-breathed, true account from the Bible reminds us that God sees, hears, and knows all about the sufferings of His people. He also remembers His promises, cares about His people, and acts on their behalf and for their good. You and I must choose to think on these things—these comforting, tender, and rock-solid, never-changing truths about God’s care and concern for us—rather than focus on our own faulty thoughts or feelings. Regardless of the difficulty and pain of life’s circumstances, these things are what is true and real about God!

God cared for Hagar—The story of God’s concern for Hagar is a favorite of mine. Twice God met this woman in times of great distress. At the first meeting, Hagar was pregnant, alone, and a fugitive. But the Angel of the LORD found her and said, "the LORD has heard your affliction (Genesis 16:7,11). After her encounter with God, Hagar referred to Him as You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees (verse 13). Later, she had a son whom Abram named Ishmael, meaning God hears" (verse 15).¹ Both Hagar and Abram recognized the truth that our God is truly a God who sees and hears…and cares! Hagar personally experienced His care, concern, and provision.

Hagar’s second recorded meeting with God occurred 16 years later, and it, too, was initiated by Him. Although time had passed, God still knew, saw, heard, cared, and provided for this single mother. In this scene, Abraham had sent Hagar and her son away. In the blazing, bone-dry desert, the two of them were dying. Yet "God heard the voice of the lad" crying and provided the two of them with water as well as encouragement (Genesis 21:9–19).

God cares for you—When I think about the God who heard, saw, knew, and rescued the Israelites and Hagar, my faith in God’s caring and concerned nature is strengthened. Then, when I add the truth of 1 Peter 5:7—He cares for you—the teaching is clear: God cares about and for His people. And that, dear reader, includes you and me!

Thinking the Truth About God’s Word

Another crucial step toward loving God with all our mind is determining to place the Bible’s truths above everything we think or feel. For instance, the Bible sets forth the important truth that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 NASB). Although this statement guarantees that God forgives our sins, I’ve been guilty of saying, after a time of prayer and confession, "But I don’t feel forgiven." When I do this, I am allowing my feelings to take precedence over the rock-solid, doctrinal truth of the forgiveness of sins available to us through Christ.

On other occasions I say, "But I don’t think God could really forgive me." With a statement like this, I’m allowing my thoughts to take precedence over the Word of God.

My friend, you and I, as believers in Christ, are forgiven, regardless of our feelings and thoughts. That’s that! In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14). To think we are not forgiven is to think a lie, to think something that is untrue. Therefore, when my feelings and thoughts are running counter to what Scripture teaches, I need to stop and ask, But, Elizabeth, what is true? The answer is always the same: The Bible is true, not my feelings or my thoughts. Therefore I choose to think forgiven.

After I shared the truth of 1 John 1:9 at a Christian women’s conference, one woman wrote, For a long time now, my thoughts have been, ‘But I don’t feel forgiven’ or ‘Was I really saved to begin with?’ I have confessed my sin over and over, and I hassle with it constantly. Reviewing the principle of thinking on the truth and this scripture is already beginning to correct my thinking.

Thinking the Truth About Ourselves

Another important guideline for our thoughts